Tennessee All-America CB Jermod McCoy to miss games, but working to get back

Tennessee All-America cornerback Jermod McCoy will miss Saturday’s opener against Syracuse and is expected to miss multiple games, but is diligently working to return at some point this season, sources told On3’s Chris Low and Brett McMurphy.

McCoy tore his ACL while training in January and has told his teammates he will be back, but has yet to return to team periods in practice and hasn’t had contact. That’s his next hurdle as he looks to return to the field in full. He’s been doing individual drills and working on the side and improving daily, but is still not ready to play in a game.

McCoy is a projected first-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft. He’s been in meetings and actively engaged with the rest of the team throughout preseason camp. One of college football’s top breakout players last season, McCoy transferred from Oregon State and led Tennessee with 13 passes defended and four interceptions in 2024.

Rickey Gibson III started at cornerback last season as a true sophomore and returns. The Tennessee staff is extremely high on Colorado transfer Colton Hood, whom the Vols were able to get in the spring transfer portal. Freshman Ty Remond is another cornerback the coaches have praised during camp. Defensive coordinator Tim Banks also said Temple transfer Jalen McMurray, a redshirt senior, was in store for a “monster season” and will be a factor at the hybrid Star position.

The Vols will also be without junior defensive tackle Daevin Hobbs, who suffered a foot injury last week and will miss multiple games.

Defensive back Boo Carter isn’t expected to start in the opener after leaving campus for a week-plus during the offseason and missing voluntary workouts.

Tennessee’s defense finished seventh nationally in scoring defense last season (16.1 points per game) and held 11 of its 13 opponents to fewer than 20 points.